Posterior thoracic nucleus
Posterior Thoracic Nucleus
The Posterior Thoracic Nucleus (pronunciation: poh-STEER-ee-or thor-AS-ik NOO-klee-us), also known as Clarke's Column or Clarke's Nucleus, is a group of cells found in the medial part of the base of the posterior grey column from the eighth cervical to the third or fourth lumbar segment. It is named after British neurologist and pathologist, James Henry Clarke, who first described it in 1851.
Etymology
The term "Posterior Thoracic Nucleus" is derived from its anatomical location and structure. "Posterior" (from Latin posterior, meaning 'following') refers to its position at the back of the spinal cord. "Thoracic" (from Greek thorax, meaning 'chest') indicates its location in the thoracic region of the spinal cord. "Nucleus" (from Latin nucleus, meaning 'kernel') refers to the cluster of nerve cells it comprises.
Function
The Posterior Thoracic Nucleus is involved in the transmission of unconscious proprioceptive information. It receives input from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs and sends projections to the cerebellum via the dorsal spinocerebellar tract.
Related Terms
- Proprioception: The sense of the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement.
- Muscle Spindle: A sensory receptor located in the muscle that senses its stretch.
- Golgi Tendon Organ: A proprioceptive sensory receptor organ that senses changes in muscle tension.
- Cerebellum: Part of the brain that plays an important role in motor control, and it may also be involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language as well as in regulating fear and pleasure responses.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Posterior thoracic nucleus
- Wikipedia's article - Posterior thoracic nucleus
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